Athearn Genesis HO GEN FP7 Locomotive, SPAX #4371

SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) took over operation of Reading’s passenger trains in 1974. During 1978, the surviving ex-Reading FP7’s were renumbered and shortly thereafter, they were repainted in SEPTA’s red, white, and blue colors. Generally, to an extreme, railfans either loved or hated the new scheme, but all seemed to agree that the new scheme was “eye-catching”. By 1981, SEPTA’s financial troubles ended the use of diesel-powered passenger trains. The units were stored and were later acquired by various historical societies for preservation in the original Reading paint scheme.